The Healing Power of Personal Writing: How Writing Can Help You Process Emotions on Memorial Day

As a child, Memorial Day had a profound impact on me. While other children moved on, the memorial ceremonies stayed with me for hours after, along with a sense of sadness. Highly sensitive children (and yes, they do exist) tend to "carry" sadness and pain with them even after Memorial Day (or any other sad day) ends. Recently, I discussed this topic with other women and found that many could relate to the feelings I described. Sensitive children grow up to become sensitive adults, and while Memorial Day is challenging for everyone, some need to process their feelings and emotions more tangibly.

To provide the heart with a calm and safe place, you can use writing as a healing power. Writing is a tool that allows us to release, process, and handle emotional overload freely. If you feel that everything is "weighing" on you today, here are some tips and tools to help you get those feelings out of your heart and ease the emotional burden.

1. Free Writing: On a day like Memorial Day, when your heart is full, don't think too much about what to write. Just take a pen and paper, and jot down whatever comes to mind. Don't worry if it's not organized or "pretty." Free writing is a good way to express your true emotions. Another method, for those who struggle to start writing, is to try to describe your pain or memories as a color, shape, or even a word.

2. Writing Letters: Write a letter to someone you feel like speaking to, even if they are no longer with you. It could be a letter to a loved one who was hurt, or to someone who passed away. Writing a letter is an excellent way to release your feelings without needing to share them with anyone.

3. Expressing Gratitude: After free writing, try writing down things you're grateful for. Writing about what you are thankful for can bring peace to your soul and even help you view things more positively. Write about moments in your life that were filled with joy and love, about special and beautiful times. This will help you balance painful memories with moments full of hope.

Writing is a therapeutic tool. Every word you write is a step in processing pain. Don't be afraid to write about everything you feel, even if it's difficult or stirs deep emotions. On Memorial Day, when the heart sinks into sadness, writing is a free and therapeutic way to express emotions, cope with burdens, and offer your soul a touch of quiet. There's no one right way; just write from the heart, and give yourself the freedom to express in a way that feels right for you.